DanceFit Biz Builders

A demo class with three instructors turned into a fascinating teaching experiment.One instructor brought huge energy.Another relied on full combos and follow-along choreography.And I approached it the way I always do — break it down, build it up, and bring the room together.Watching the class unfold made one thing crystal clear:There are three distinct types of dance fitness instructors.And once you see the difference between performing a class and teaching one… you can’t unsee it.Let’s talk about it.🔹 Get on the waiting list for The 4 Things I Do To Sell Out Every Class (that other instructors don’t) https://sharqui.kartra.com/page/SBB🔹 Need a boost of joy, sweat, and sisterhood? Dance with us in the SharQui Virtual Studio! Get started at sharqui.com/online🔹 Stop hustling for pennies — start teaching with power. Your journey starts at sharqui.com/teach This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oreet.substack.com

This episode is a special one — it’s the 100th episode of the DanceFit Biz Builders podcast.Instead of me asking the questions, the tables are turned. Marisa Gusatella, Director of Professional Development for SharQui and someone I trust deeply in this work, is interviewing me.We talk about:* what I see now after 30 years in fitness that I couldn’t see in the beginning* people I’ve interviewed* what it really takes to stay in this industry long-term* and what’s next for SharQuiIf you’re a dance instructor or fitness instructor trying to build a sustainable career, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the lessons that only come with time, experience, and a lot of trial and error.🔹 Get on the waiting list for The 4 Things I Do To Sell Out Every Class (that other instructors don’t) https://sharqui.kartra.com/page/SBB🔹 Need a boost of joy, sweat, and sisterhood? Dance with us in the SharQui Virtual Studio! Get started at sharqui.com/online🔹 Stop hustling for pennies — start teaching with power. Your journey starts at sharqui.com/teach This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oreet.substack.com

Fitness trends for 2026 are shifting — and constant novelty isn’t what’s driving growth anymore.In this episode, I break down why exercise-to-music (ETM) is no longer the leading growth model in fitness, and why structured, purpose-driven movement is rising instead.Using insights from the American College of Sports Medicine Worldwide Fitness Trends Report for 2026, we look at how beat and rhythm-based, repeatable formats support confidence, retention, and long-term participation.If you’re a dance or fitness instructor wondering why your classes haven’t been growing, this episode explains what’s changing — and how to teach in a way that aligns with where fitness is headed next.🔹 Want to get on the waiting list for my SharQui Beat & Block Training? Register here so that you don’t miss the deets! https://sharqui.kartra.com/page/SBB🔹 Need a boost of joy, sweat, and sisterhood? Dance with us in the SharQui Virtual Studio! Get started at sharqui.com/online🔹 Stop hustling for pennies — start teaching with power. Your journey starts at sharqui.com/teach This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oreet.substack.com

Social media is changing - and for dance & fitness instructors, the old advice isn’t working anymore.In this episode, I break down the social media trends for 2026 and what they actually mean for dance & fitness instructors who want to grow their classes, increase visibility, and attract real students - not just likes and engagement.We talk about:* Why authentic short-form video is outperforming polished, overly produced content* How dance & fitness instructors can use simple, real content to build trust and visibility* Why community, clarity, and consistency matter more than branding or viral trendsIf you’re a dance or fitness instructor who wants to grow your business, fill your classes, and market yourself on social media without becoming an influencer, this episode will help you understand how instructors are discovered on social media in 2026. No hacks.No hustle culture.Just real social media strategy for instructors who want longevity.🔹 Want to get on the waiting list for my SharQui Beat & Block Training? Register here so that you don’t miss the deets! https://sharqui.kartra.com/page/SBB🔹 Need a boost of joy, sweat, and sisterhood? Dance with us in the SharQui Virtual Studio! Get started at sharqui.com/online🔹 Stop hustling for pennies — start teaching with power. Your journey starts at sharqui.com/teach This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oreet.substack.com

I am honored to be interviewed by Jessica of The Stage. We talk about how many dance fitness and fitness instructors believe the answer to increasing income is teaching more classes. In reality, teaching more hours often leads to burnout, inconsistent income, and limited growth. In this episode, I break down why teaching more classes won’t make you more money, and what actually creates sustainable income for dance and fitness instructors.We talk about your value, smart offers, and systems that don’t depend on being in the room every hour.If you want to grow your fitness instructor income without working yourself into exhaustion, this episode will help you rethink how you build a sustainable, well-paid teaching business.🔹 Want to get on the waiting list for my SharQui Beat & Block Training? Register here so that you don’t miss the deets! https://sharqui.kartra.com/page/SBB🔹 Need a boost of joy, sweat, and sisterhood? Dance with us in the SharQui Virtual Studio! Get started at sharqui.com/online🔹 Stop hustling for pennies — start teaching with power. Your journey starts at sharqui.com/teach This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oreet.substack.com

If you’re a dance fitness instructor or dance instructor wondering why your dance fitness classes aren’t growing, this episode breaks down what’s really happening. Class growth is rarely about social media or marketing—it’s about how you teach, how students experience your class, and whether they feel confident enough to return. In this episode, I explain why many fitness classes stall, how teaching clarity affects class retention, and what dance fitness instructors can do to build consistent, growing classes without burning out.🔹 Want to get on the waiting list for my SharQui Beat & Block Training? Register here so that you don’t miss the deets! https://sharqui.kartra.com/page/SBB🔹 Need a boost of joy, sweat, and sisterhood? Dance with us in the SharQui Virtual Studio! Get started at sharqui.com/online🔹 Stop hustling for pennies — start teaching with power. Your journey starts at sharqui.com/teach This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oreet.substack.com

Getting certified is exciting.What comes next can feel overwhelming.In this episode, I break down the very first thing you need to do after certification if you have little to no business experience. Before websites, logos, social media, or marketing plans—this is where new instructors actually need to start.We talk about focus, clarity, teaching in real rooms, and how to build confidence and momentum without trying to do everything at once. This episode is about simplifying the early stages so you can stop guessing and start building something solid.If you’re newly certified—or certified but still feeling unsure how to turn teaching into something sustainable—this conversation will give you a clear place to begin.🔹 Need a boost of joy, sweat, and sisterhood? Dance with us in the SharQui Virtual Studio! Get started at sharqui.com/online🔹 Stop hustling for pennies — start teaching with power. Your journey starts at sharqui.com/teach This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oreet.substack.com

This episode is my response to my When Performance Replaced Teaching article that received over 130 shares, over 250 comments, and almost 700 likes.I read my reply in full - but this isn’t just a reaction. It’s a teaching moment.In this episode, I break down what happens when performance starts to overshadow pedagogy in the fitness industry, why this conversation struck a nerve, and how clarity - not caution - is what actually cuts through the noise.We also talk about the part no one loves to admit: how scary it can be to say the thing you know is true—especially online. I share why I almost didn’t publish, what happened when I did, and what this experience teaches us about visibility, leadership, and stating your position with integrity.This isn’t about being divisive for attention.It’s about responsibility, standards, and the difference between being liked and being useful.If you teach movement, lead classes, or create content in the fitness space, this episode is for you.The article: https://www.sharqui.com/when-performance-replaced-teaching-a-manifesto-for-the-fitness-industry/My response: https://www.sharqui.com/my-response-to-when-performance-replaced-teaching-facebook-post/🔹 Need a boost of joy, sweat, and sisterhood? Dance with us in the SharQui Virtual Studio! Get started at sharqui.com/online🔹 Stop hustling for pennies — start teaching with power. Your journey starts at sharqui.com/teach This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oreet.substack.com

There’s a belief floating around the dance world that experience alone is enough to teach.“I’ve been dancing for years. I know my body. I don’t need a fitness certification.”But if you’re teaching classes that raise heart rates, repeat movement week after week, and ask students to trust you with their bodies, a fitness certification is not optional.In this episode, I break down why dance experience and exercise science are not the same thing—and why both matter. We talk about safety, cueing, injury prevention, legal protection, student trust, and what actually shifts when instructors step into true movement leadership.This isn’t about limiting creativity.It’s about supporting it with knowledge, clarity, and sustainability.If you teach dance fitness—or any class that conditions the body—this conversation matters.🔹 Need a boost of joy, sweat, and sisterhood? Dance with us in the SharQui Virtual Studio! Get started at sharqui.com/online🔹 Stop hustling for pennies — start teaching with power. Your journey starts at sharqui.com/teach This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oreet.substack.com

Safety is the foundation. Always.But safety alone isn’t the goal.Once bodies are safe, the real responsibility begins: progression.In this episode, I talk about the difference between classes that feel good and classes that actually help students improve. Because fun, sweat, and great music don’t automatically lead to skill, confidence, or growth.We unpack a common belief in the dance world:“I don’t need a curriculum. I teach from experience.”Experience matters—but it’s not the same as effective teaching.You’ll hear why curriculum creates progression (not just variety), how teaching differs from performing, why consistency builds trust and retention, and why structure doesn’t limit creativity—it strengthens it.Students may not name it, but they feel the difference when a class makes sense and when they can tell they’re improving.If you want students who stay, grow, and trust you, this episode is for you.🔹 Need a boost of joy, sweat, and sisterhood? Dance with us in the SharQui Virtual Studio! Get started at sharqui.com/online🔹 Stop hustling for pennies — start teaching with power. Your journey starts at sharqui.com/teach This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oreet.substack.com

Everyone’s been sold the same lie:“If your dance or fitness classes aren’t full, it’s because you’re not posting enough on social media.”Nope. That’s not the real issue.In this episode, I break down why you don’t need social media to fill your dance classes or fitness classes.We’re talking real, sustainable, off-line business strategies for dance and fitness instructors on how to grow your dance and fitness class attendance through relationships, referrals, and community.If you’re a dance instructor or fitness instructor who’s not into social media and want is ready for fuller classes, better retention, and steady income doing it the organic way…This episode is your permission slip - and your plan.🎧 Press play and learn what actually fills dance and fitness classes (without chasing likes).🔹 Need a boost of joy, sweat, and sisterhood? Dance with us in the SharQui Virtual Studio! Get started at sharqui.com/online🔹 Stop hustling for pennies — start teaching with power. Your journey starts at sharqui.com/teach This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oreet.substack.com

Most instructors are chasing the wrong thing.Likes. Comments. Engagement.And then wondering why their classes still aren’t filling.In this episode, I break down what actually grows your classes — without turning yourself into a content machine or performing for the algorithm.We’re talking about:* Why visibility matters more than engagement* The quiet ways people discover your classes (even when they don’t tap “like”)* The difference between being seen really meansIf you’re a dance, dance fitness, or fitness instructor who wants full classes, steady income, and a business that doesn’t rely on trends… this one’s for you.No hacks. No hustle culture.Just the truth about what works — and why.🔹 Need a boost of joy, sweat, and sisterhood? Dance with us in the SharQui Virtual Studio! Get started at sharqui.com/online🔹 Stop hustling for pennies — start teaching with power. Your journey starts at sharqui.com/teach This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oreet.substack.com

Influencers are playing a completely different game - and if you’re trying to do the same strategies, it may quietly holding instructors back.In this episode, we break down why “viral tactics” don’t translate to full classes, steady income, or long-term student retention.You’ll learn what actually grows a real instructor business: clarity, connection, authority, and a message your students can feel.If you’ve been posting nonstop with little to show for it… this one’s for you.🔹 Need a boost of joy, sweat, and sisterhood? Dance with us in the SharQui Virtual Studio! Get started at sharqui.com/online🔹 Stop hustling for pennies — start teaching with power. Your journey starts at sharqui.com/teach This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oreet.substack.com

Every January, dance and fitness instructors brace for the “new year rush”… and then wonder why their income is not growing by February. In this episode, I’m breaking down the January mistake instructors always regret — the one that quietly hurts your income and business growth before the year even begins.And nope, it’s not your class format.It’s something way more basic… and way more fixable.If you want to start the new year with full classes, stronger retention, and a profitable dance and fitness instructor business, this episode is your wake-up call.Let’s make this your strongest January yet.🔹 Need a boost of joy, sweat, and sisterhood? Dance with us in the SharQui Virtual Studio! Get started at sharqui.com/online🔹 Stop hustling for pennies — start teaching with power. Your journey starts at sharqui.com/teach This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oreet.substack.com

In this week’s episode, Soraya — founder of Raqisa and creator of Raq The Barre — opens up about the realities behind building a unique movement method, developing a strong dance fitness brand, and growing a certification program in the wellness world. We talk about the moments most instructors don’t see:✨ When life forces you to pause✨ When class numbers dip and business feels uncertain✨ When you wonder if all the effort is worth it✨ When you start to question your whyBut here’s what sets long-term instructors apart:They stick to their purpose. They teach with intention — for their students’ success, for transformation, for community.Inside, you’ll learn:• How knowing your why strengthens your instructor business and student retention• How to grow your dance classes with heart, not hustle• How intention-led teaching improves the student experience (and keeps them coming back!)• Why reinvention matters for sustainable instructor business growthIf you’ve ever felt like quitting… this conversation will remind you why you started.Free 30 Mins Raq The Barre®️https://app.arketa.co/raqisa/videos/checkout/zm62rOuT3Q2Oi8lw8jyeWebsite:https://raqthebarre.comYouTubehttps://m.youtube.com/@raqisa_officialFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1HdVSH2fi9/?mibextid=wwXIfrInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/raqthebarre?igsh=MWg5cDJibTM4bmh3MQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qrRaqiSa®️ Ultimate All-In-One Bellydance Barre Bundle Sale!https://raqthebarre.com/shop-1Raq The Barre®️ 55 Minute “At Home” Sample ClassTeach Raq The Barre®️https://raqthebarre.com/instructor-training🔹 Need a boost of joy, sweat, and sisterhood? Dance with us in the SharQui Virtual Studio! Get started at sharqui.com/online🔹 Stop hustling for pennies — start teaching with power. Your journey starts at sharqui.com/teach This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oreet.substack.com